In the book of Luke, New Testament of the Bible, we have a recording of the timing of the conception and birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ the Messiah. It is recorded as a physician would do it (see chapter 1:5-80). In chapter 1 vs 5 it says "in the days of Herod" (the Great, who lived 73-4 BCE) an angel appeared to Zacharias and told him his wife would have a son and to name him John. He didn't believe the angel and he was struck dumb (unable to speak) til John's birth 9 months later (adding vs 36, 56, and 57-64). Jewish authors believed this happened in June. The angel then announced to Mary,
6 months later (December) after Elizabeth conceived (vs 36), that she (Mary) would have a son. She asked how as she was a virgin and the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her-and she believed the angel. Once she heard this she immediately (vs 39) went to Elizabeth's (a relative) probably because she had questions about pregnancy. Therefore, when she first entered Elizabeth's home and Elizabeth heard Mary's voice she, Elizabeth, was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed, "Blessed art though among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." (vs42-44) KJV Note that John was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in the womb-probably at this time. (vs 15) At Elizabeth's home Mary stayed for 3 months (vs 56). Thus, when Jesus Christ was only days old, an embryo, He was acknowledged as the Lord (vs 43). Remember Psalm 139:13 "For thou didst form my inward parts...thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were written, the days that were ordained, when as yet there was not one of them." NASB Even as an embryo God knew David (who wrote this Psalm) and He knew Jesus Christ the One to come (as the Messiah and God in the flesh) and fulfill this prophecy. Even Jeremiah was commissioned by the Lord before He formed him. In Jeremiah 1:5 it says, "Before I formed thee in the belly' (womb-'hollow' place)'I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." KJV
Finally, Peter states in Acts 10:34-35, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."" And in 2nd Peter 3:9 he said,"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." KJV Now, it is true that these 2 sets of verses are directed to those who could understand Peter's words, but the attitude of God is a desire for all to come to know Him. He talks of the plans He has for the embryo/fetus before they are even conceived. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit within the womb, and Jesus Christ is called Lord while an embryo in the womb. This requires that those who reverence God protect those humans who are in the womb- for He is no respecter of persons.
For those women who have had abortions and the men who lead them to sin in that way there is forgiveness. In James 5:16 the Bible says," Therefore, confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." There is forgiveness at the cross of Jesus Christ, but we must also protect the embryonic/fetal child.
(Dore image from 1800's used with permission from Project Gutenberg)
6 months later (December) after Elizabeth conceived (vs 36), that she (Mary) would have a son. She asked how as she was a virgin and the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her-and she believed the angel. Once she heard this she immediately (vs 39) went to Elizabeth's (a relative) probably because she had questions about pregnancy. Therefore, when she first entered Elizabeth's home and Elizabeth heard Mary's voice she, Elizabeth, was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed, "Blessed art though among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." (vs42-44) KJV Note that John was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in the womb-probably at this time. (vs 15) At Elizabeth's home Mary stayed for 3 months (vs 56). Thus, when Jesus Christ was only days old, an embryo, He was acknowledged as the Lord (vs 43). Remember Psalm 139:13 "For thou didst form my inward parts...thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were written, the days that were ordained, when as yet there was not one of them." NASB Even as an embryo God knew David (who wrote this Psalm) and He knew Jesus Christ the One to come (as the Messiah and God in the flesh) and fulfill this prophecy. Even Jeremiah was commissioned by the Lord before He formed him. In Jeremiah 1:5 it says, "Before I formed thee in the belly' (womb-'hollow' place)'I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." KJV
Finally, Peter states in Acts 10:34-35, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."" And in 2nd Peter 3:9 he said,"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." KJV Now, it is true that these 2 sets of verses are directed to those who could understand Peter's words, but the attitude of God is a desire for all to come to know Him. He talks of the plans He has for the embryo/fetus before they are even conceived. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit within the womb, and Jesus Christ is called Lord while an embryo in the womb. This requires that those who reverence God protect those humans who are in the womb- for He is no respecter of persons.
For those women who have had abortions and the men who lead them to sin in that way there is forgiveness. In James 5:16 the Bible says," Therefore, confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." There is forgiveness at the cross of Jesus Christ, but we must also protect the embryonic/fetal child.
(Dore image from 1800's used with permission from Project Gutenberg)
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